The present study aims at analyzing the individual senses and social meanings of mental care actions carried out by professionals working in a Family Health Care Team. The study is based on Vigotsky's (1896-1934) theoretical perspective of a historical and cultural psychology. The work is part of a participant research and as such conducted in the context of a field research. It was observed that the team took into consideration the relevance of social determinants for the disease of the target population, the need for making use of diversified care strategies reaching beyond the clinical setting, the importance of taking care of their own mental health, as well as difficulties related to approaching the families of the patients. We emphasize the importance of overcoming the exclusiveness of the biomedical determination of the health-disease process as pointed out in the operational principles of the Family Health Care Strategy, expressed by responsiveness as a care tool, the establishment of relationships and continued care.
Family health; Mental health; Primary care; Historical and cultural psychology; Individual senses and social meanings